Friday , March 29 2024

Soccerex announce partnership with Football for Peace!

Soccerex and Football for Peace (FfP) have come together to form a new global partnership which will see the two organisations collaborating to promote football’s unique power to unite different religions, races and cultures across the globe and serve as a catalyst for social change.

Football for Peace was established in 2006 by Chilean legend Elias Figueroa and co-founded internationally in 2013 by British South Asian international footballer, Kashif Siddiqi. FfP is a diplomatic sports movement backed by the United Nations Sport for Development and Peace that brings people together & creates understanding through the beautiful game. The charity has been active for over a decade building a unique platform of neutrality and has become a leading organisation in Football Diplomacy, gauging the interest and support of world leaders, footballing icons and Royal families from across the world including – HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, The Duke of Cambridge – Prince William, HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco, Pope Francis, Pele and Ronaldinho amongst the great names behind the movement. Ffp’s global work has been carried out through two core programs, Cities for Peace and Peace Matches, showcasing that football is uniquely placed to transcend the differences of nationality, ethnicity, religion, age and gender. By connecting people through football, they offer an alternative to division.

Peace Match 2015 saw a unified Afghanistan and British team beat a Footballers for Peace team in 5-a-side match with Harry Redknapp and Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan in attendance. 2015 also saw the launch of their first ‘City for Peace’ project in Birmingham, an initiative targeting youth in diverse, multicultural cities where FfP’s message can make a real difference, with HRH Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge and Wilfried Lemke, United Nations Secretary General sports ambassador attending the launch. In 2016, Kozhikode, India became the second ‘City for Peace’, with the aim of empowering women. Brazilian football legend, Ronaldinho was the event’s ambassador and was quoted as saying, “Football has the power to unite the people. It has given me an opportunity and taught me universal values of Friendship and Unity. I am supporting the work carried by Football for Peace Global and proud to be the Guest of Honour.”

Speaking about the partnership, Soccerex Marketing Director David Wright said, “We are absolutely thrilled to be entering into this partnership and to be formalising the long standing and positive relationship we have enjoyed with Football for Peace over a number of years. Football’s social responsibility is a key part of our events – something our founder Duncan Revie imparted on us – and at this difficult time globally, where societies are more divided than ever before, this collaboration will help us further the promotion of football’s power to unite people and to change perceptions.”

Football for Peace CEO Jay Jadeja commented, “To partner with an organisation that does so well to bring the footballing world together is a great step for our Movement.– Soccerex share the same beliefs as Football for Peace and have provided a platform in creating a strong space for intercultural dialogue for many years. There is a widespread belief that innovative initiatives are needed to promote community cohesion around the world and this partnership will help spread that message collectively.”

Under the terms of the partnership, FfP and Soccerex will be collaborating and sharing benefits at their respective events across the world, beginning with the Inaugural Football for Peace Ball at the world-famous Guildhall, London on November 17. The glittering black tie event has a “Football Diplomacy” theme where, royal patronage, diplomats, football legends and VIP’s attending will hear of the hard work Ffp have been carrying out over the last four years. During the evening, Football for Peace will announce their new London ‘City for Peace’ project aimed at uniting London youths and will also be honouring footballers and their mothers who have made an outstanding contribution to society through their philanthropic ventures. Ronaldinho and his mother, Dona Miguelina Eloi Assis dos Santos, and Jermain Defoe and his mother Sandra Defoe St Helen will be recognised on the evening.

Next up for Soccerex is the Soccerex Asian Forum in Doha on December 4/5, where the team from FfP will be helping to shaping the social responsibility content within the programme followed by Soccerex China on April 17/18, 2018.

About Arunava Chaudhuri

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